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Hoenn Fortress
"Ararara, that's quite impressive."
Kuzan looked at the magnificent fortress, feeling the exact same shock as Drake had experienced. There was nothing but amazement.
He was now convinced that Daichi was serious about establishing the Hoenn Government. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such great lengths.
Daichi's Office
Kuzan's gaze was intense as he looked at the world map on the wall. It marked seventeen countries in total, along with the areas of influence controlled by the Fortress and Hoenn Government.
The scale was quite stunning.
"Currently, our Hoenn Marines' total strength has exceeded 30,000, and it's still growing rapidly."
Daichi stood by the map, explaining the general situation of the Hoenn Government and its future development plans to Kuzan.
The Hoenn Government mainly had three major departments.
The Hoenn Government itself, responsible for coordinating the development and construction of member states, creating laws, and handling diplomatic and other political issues.
The Hoenn Marines, the main combat force.
Groudon Company, the Hoenn Government's primary source of money, similar to a state-owned business, with operations covering almost all industries.
Kuzan frowned deeply.
"What about the Beast Pirates?"
"The Beast Pirates are pirates, and the Hoenn Government is a separate matter. You can think of the Beast Pirates as life-and-death allies standing on the same side as us."
Daichi replied calmly.
From the beginning, he had intentionally kept the Beast Pirates separate from the Hoenn Government. Pirates were difficult to control. Even if he wanted to bring the Beast Pirates into the Hoenn Government, he couldn't.
The Beast Pirates were a supporting combat force.
However, the fact that they were family wouldn't change. At least until they replaced the World Government, he greatly needed the Beast Pirates' power and would try his best to satisfy all their needs.
Once he helped Kaido become the Pirate King and fulfilled all his wishes, he could completely take over the Beast Pirates.
"Kuzan, we need the Beast Pirates!"
Kuzan looked up at the ceiling.
He could understand that. Facing the enormous World Government, the more allies the better, especially since Daichi originally came from the Beast Pirates.
This was not the time to argue over such issues.
He still had many questions.
"Why choose me?"
"You are the most suitable."
Daichi answered honestly.
An Admiral was already a pillar of stability in the hearts of ordinary people, a powerful figure who struck fear into the hearts of criminals. His reputation and strength were enough to serve as the Fleet Admiral of the Hoenn Marines.
At least for now, there was no more suitable candidate than Kuzan.
The key was that he had no other choice!
"I still can't understand!"
Kuzan shook his head and sighed.
He truly couldn't understand. He could accept being recruited as an Admiral, but being directly made the Fleet Admiral of the Hoenn Marines, having tens of thousands of people entrusted to him—this couldn't be explained by trust alone.
Daichi smiled.
"Kuzan, I believe in your justice!"
"Justice, huh? How ironic."
Kuzan smiled somewhat bitterly.
He himself questioned his own "lazy justice." One of the reasons he left the Marines was to understand himself better.
Some things can only be seen after leaving one's own territory, just like the hope rising before his eyes.
"Ararara, let's not worry about this!"
Kuzan perked up.
"Mr. Daichi, I generally understand the situation of the Hoenn Government, but there's one question you absolutely must answer!"
"What exactly is the difference between the Hoenn Government and the World Government?"
"Of course, it's ideology and system!"
Daichi spoke with enthusiasm.
"We went to Labor Country before. If I told you Labor Country has no king, no nobles, what would you think?"
"This?"
Kuzan was a bit surprised.
Water 7 also had no king, being managed by Mayor Iceberg, but Water 7 was just a city under the World Government. Labor Country was a large nation made up of dozens of islands. Their sizes were completely different.
How could such a country have no king?
"In fact, it's not just Labor Country. Other countries under our Hoenn Government also have no king. More accurately, they don't have the kind of king you're familiar with!"
Daichi explained with great excitement. How could he not offer some solid ideas when about to challenge the World Government?
"The leaders of the Hoenn member states are elected by ordinary citizens. They can be the children of farmers, come from working-class backgrounds, or even be former slaves."
"What determines people's future is not their bloodline, but their ability, their work, and their effort. Even if they are the children of a king, if they become corrupt, they can only be ordinary people!"
"Their power is also not as great as traditional kings. If they break laws and moral standards, they will still face punishment!"
"There are many other details, which I won't explain one by one. In short, this is the highest ideal of our Hoenn Government. To summarize it simply..."
Daichi paused, his eyes gleaming.
"Democracy, freedom, human rights!"
Kuzan clenched his fists, his back covered in sweat.
This was a path he had never imagined!
Daichi thought for a moment and added, "Also, we don't collect Heavenly Tribute!"
Kuzan almost choked.
"Can what you said truly be achieved?"
"Why not?"
Daichi said calmly. "Change requires not only courage but also a sharp blade. If you and I want to change this terrible world, we must be prepared to sacrifice everything!"
"Including ourselves!"
"Let future generations judge whether we were right or wrong!"
"We only have one thing to do!"
"Fuck the World Government!"
Fuck the...
Kuzan almost shouted along.
How crude!
However, he liked it!
"Ararara!"
Kuzan scratched his head and laughed. "It's incredible. I was actually convinced by an evil pirate!"
"Haha, pirates are people too!"
Daichi also smiled and extended his hand.
"If the World Government weren't so rotten, where would so many homeless people come from in this world? Where would so many pirates come from? Don't get the cause and effect backwards."
"Indeed."
Kuzan extended his palm and shook hands with Daichi.
"Please take care of me, Chief Commander Daichi."
"No problem, Fleet Admiral Kuzan!"
The agreement was reached.
Kuzan felt much lighter, yet at the same time, a heavy burden had fallen upon him.
He didn't doubt that Daichi was lying to him. After all, he was serving as the Fleet Admiral, and if the Hoenn Government wasn't as Daichi described, he couldn't possibly fail to notice.
"I have a personal question."
"Ask anything."
Daichi picked up his teacup and nodded.
Kuzan stared at Daichi.
He had no doubts about the Hoenn Government, but he was full of questions about Daichi. He believed in his heart that Daichi was not such a selfless person.
"Why are you doing all this?"
"Of course, it's to collect rent!"
Daichi immediately perked up, excitedly pointing at the map. "My dream is to make everyone in the world pay me rent!"
"Once we overthrow the World Government, I'll become the biggest landlord in the world. If anyone makes me angry, I'll raise their rent and taxes!"
"Jiehahahaha!"
Kuzan's face turned dark.
That's truly... a pirate's way of thinking!